Le Tissier, who got to know Crouch in his Saints days, said: "I think he has certainly given Fabio Capello food for thought.

"We know Wayne Rooney will be our main man at the World Cup. It's just a case of finding someone to gel with him - and, for me, Crouch is the man. I know Fabio has favoured Emile Heskey in the past. But Peter Crouch is probably a bigger threat in terms of goal.

"And if you are going to win tournaments, you need as many goalscorers in your team as you can get. I would pick Crouch ahead of Heskey.

"Not only does he unsettle defenders with his sheer presence but I think sometimes they underestimate how good he is on the ball.

"His hold-up play is very good and, as against Egypt, when he gets chances he can stick them away."